A method to take control of your life through observing all aspects of it, and determining whether they are conducive or detrimental to health, emotional development, and spiritual growth.

be joyous, readErik StoutJanuary 14, 2025self inquiry, awareness, emotional maturityComment

The Seven Kingdoms (7)

One cannot derive lasting meaning from goodies. From what then? Andy makes a shocking discovery in part seven of The Seven Kingdoms.

be magical, readErik StoutJanuary 4, 2025meaninginlove, fairy tale, self inquiry, spiritualityComment

A New Challenge (16)

How do we discover the talents and predispositions we are born with? And where can we find clues that will help us on our way? While reflecting on my process, we will provide answers to these questions in this article.

learning, readErik StoutDecember 7, 2024self inquiry, self-knowledge, playing Comments

Fun With Stress 2.4

Knowing when to attribute minor health issues to stress leads to greater awareness and control over your stressors and your health. Part 2 Chapter 4 – Listening To Your Body via the Human Fuel Gauge

be curious, readErik StoutSeptember 14, 2024stress, stress physiology, chronic stress, self inquiry, self-knowledgeComment

A New Challenge (14)

Personal account of my journey within, where I ended up in Chiang Mai, Thailand after 11 months of Tai Chi training in China. Part 14: Living In The Here-And-Now

learning, readErik StoutSeptember 7, 2024tai chi, self inquiry, masteryComment

Don’t Push My Buttons!

Putting the spotlight on our stressors and how we behave towards them has a soothing and purifying effect. Here’s a method for doing so.

be self-wise, readErik StoutAugust 31, 2024emotional buttons, stress physiology, self inquiryComment

A New Challenge (13)

Personal account of my journey within, starting in China to learn Tai Chi for a longer period of time. Part 13: University of Life – Frustrations and an Early Farewell from China

learning, readErik StoutAugust 10, 2024angry, self inquiry, self-knowledgeComment

Healing Yourself With Little Renunciation Experiments

Procrastination? Distraction? Addiction? Habit? We prefer to get rid of these behaviours as soon as possible. But how? We are going to discover an answer in this article.

be self-wise, readErik StoutAugust 3, 2024self inquiry, self-knowledge, letting goComment

The Seven Kingdoms (2)

Andy's journey had hardly begun or the first unexpected events manifested in losing his Sherpa and getting arrested by the little people. Find out where they are taking him in the second part of The Seven Kingdoms.

be magical, readErik StoutJuly 27, 2024fairy tale, meaning, self inquiryComment

The Seven Kingdoms (1)

First part of a fairy tale about a computer nerd who is drowning in the mechanical and impersonal environment of a multinational. He decides to go on a holiday that promises the meaning of life on a silver platter…

be magical, readErik StoutJune 29, 2024meaning, fairy tale, self inquiryComment

The Confusion of Love

Let’s go on a journey to find out what love is, what it’s not, and why it’s important for our health and happiness to know the difference.

be joyous, read, featuredErik StoutJune 15, 2024love, loving, self inquiryComment

The Healing Power of Expression (2)

The ways in which we express ourselves are endless. Yet a distinction can be made between possible injurious or healing ways of expression. In Part 2 of this diptych: Healing ways of self-expression.

be self-wise, readErik StoutFebruary 24, 2024expression, self inquiry, healingComment

The Healing Power of Expression (1)

The ways in which we express ourselves are endless. Yet a distinction can be made between possible injurious or healing ways of expression. In Part 1 of this diptych: Injurious ways of self-expression.

be self-wise, readErik StoutFebruary 17, 2024expression, self inquiry, healingComment

A New Challenge (7)

Personal account of the trip to China to learn Tai Chi. Part 7: Experiences of a month offline and a question for you.

learning, readErik StoutFebruary 10, 2024self inquiry, offline, tai chi

Everyone's Path is the Right One

We become joyous when we walk our own path. But what does that actually mean? We discuss the phenomenon of ‘calling,’ the difference between anxiety and joyousness as a basic-state-of-being and offer options to (re)discover our calling as an adult.

be joyous, readErik StoutJanuary 27, 2024calling, vocation, framework of reference, self inquiryComment

Methodology: Five Questions For Self-Inquiry

Learn to recognize your emotional buttons and associated feelings and behaviours through the Five Questions For Self-Inquiry, and become a free and happy human being.

be self-wise, read, featuredErik StoutJanuary 20, 2024self inquiry, stress, stress physiologyComment

A New Challenge (6)

Personal account of the trip to China to learn Tai Chi. Part 6: Offline for a month and a couple profound learning moments.

learning, readErik StoutJanuary 6, 2024self inquiry, self-knowledge, psychologyComment

The Healing Power of Changing Perspective

When rigid convictions make us scared, stressed, or sick, changing our perspective harbours magical and healing powers.

be self-wise, readErik StoutDecember 9, 2023self inquiry, self-knowledge, perceptionComment

A New Challenge (4)

Personal account of the trip to China to learn Tai Chi. Part 4: Gradually letting go.

learning, readErik StoutNovember 26, 2023self inquiry, BuddhaComment

What we want vs. What we need

To illustrate why what we need often brings more joy than what we want, we follow the tragic tale of the fallen Hungarian euro-politician József Szájer, who denied his own nature. The post ends with a warm, candid welcome to a new-born child.

be joyous, readErik StoutNovember 19, 2023self inquiry, philosophyComment